[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Up next on News 7--

A furniture company announces it's closing its plant in Stuart-- cutting more than 200 jobs.
(---------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]


And Lynchburg police are on the look- out for several suspects in a fatal shooting last night.
(------------)



[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=LEO]
[SS=None]


Another comfortable afternoon across the region. In fact, the next few days look nice. But we do have a hurricane churning in the Atlantic. I'll bring you the latest on Frances, plus live conditions from Puerto Rico and the Bahamas coming up.

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Stay with us. News 7 at noon, starts right now.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@brent1;]


[Vaughan-Closing]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at noon]
[ENG#=None]


Furniture imports are claiming more manufacturing jobs in western Virginia.
Today, Vaughan Furniture Company announced it will close its plant in Patrick County and eliminate 208 positions there.
Imports continue to take a larger share of the bedroom furniture market. President and C- E- O Bill Vaughan said the company had no choice but "to bring capacity closer in line with economic reality."
When the Stuart facility is closed later this year, the company will operate two plants and a distribution center in Galax.

[L'Burg-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=04-31 32:27]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]



[ENG#=2]



Police in Lynchburg are searching for several suspects involved in a fatal shooting last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]


Authorities say Clyde Arbrey Hilliard was shot in the chest at the James Crossing Apartment Complex, formerly Greenfield Apartments. It happened between 10-thirty and 10-45 last night. Hilliard was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police are looking for a red Ford Mustang with three or four black males. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.
(------------)



[Martin]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-32 27:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=3]


The second of two men who vandalized a black church in January has owned up to what he did.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Christopher Frank Martin pled guilty this morning to the break-in and destruction at Mt Moriah Baptist Church. Church leaders said damage to the century old house of worship exceeded 80-thousand dollars. Zachary Bryant was apprehended first, and that led to Martin's arrest. At first Martin told police he wasn't there, but he came clean when police suggested there might have been surveillance cameras in the church.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:10:30]
[IN Q=Mr. Martin stated]

((MR. MARTIN STATED HE REMEMBERED THAT NIGHT, REMEMBERED THE DAMAGE THEY HAD DONE, THAT HE SIMPLY DRANK IN EXCESS. AND HE BLACKED OUT.))
[SUPER=01-John McNeil/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=he blacked out.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Like his co-defendant, Martin has also been charged with a "hate crime" by federal authorities. They'll be sentenced on the civil right violation next month. Martin is due back in state court in November to be sentenced on the vandalism case.
(------------)



[Rke-Beating]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-34 13:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]


A 48 year old man has been charged with attempted murder and abduction after allegedly beating a woman outside a Roanoke restaurant.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Shortly before midnight last night, police say Reuben Charles Jones dragged at 49 year old woman
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

into an alley near Macado's on Church Street and started beating her. Employees and patrons in the restaurant heard screams and ran outside, then pointed Jones out to police. The victim suffered minor injuries, and was not hospitalized.
(-------------)



[Russia-Hostages]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=1]



The death toll is reportedly rising at a Russian school where militants have taken hundreds of people hostage-- including children.
Many of the attackers are wearing suicide belts.
Beth Knobel reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Beslan, Russia; :00]
[SUPER=01-Beth Knobel/CBS News; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=Knobel, CBS News, Moscow.]

(( With fear still written on their faces, some children have escaped -- but dozens even hundreds of students, parents and teachers are trapped inside a Russian school that was seized this morning by terrorists.
About a dozen heavily armed men and women --many wearing belts with explosives--took overpowered school guards just as parents were accompanying their children inside for the first day of classes.
The attackers have warned they will blow up the building if authorities try to storm it. They've reportedly hearded their hostages into the school gym, and laid down mines so no one can escape.
"I was standing near the gates when I saw three armed people running with guns," said this witness. "I thought it was a joke, but when they started firing in the air we fled."
Though the nationality of the attackers is not yet clear, the school, in the southern russian city of Beslan, is just 30 miles from the border with chechnya.
Chechen women are believed to have already carried out three other terrorist acts in the past eight days. Just yesterday, a woman blew herself up outside a moscow subway station. Two chechen women are also believed to have exploded bombs on two Russian jets on august 24th, bringing the planes down and killing all 90 people aboard.
President Vladimir Putin rushed back to moscow today to confer with top officials, but his defense minister says that more terrorist acts are likely here --and that war has begun.
Russians have become somewhat used to terrorist acts during the nine years troops have been battling chechen separatists. But an act like today's, which targets children, has this nation in shock.
BK CBS News Moscow
))

[Frances-Preps]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=TS Gaston]



[ENG#=2]



The body of a sixth victim of Monday's flooding has been found in the Richmond area.
Henrico County police found the body today of a woman, who's been missing since her car got stuck in floodwaters in the city.
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Frances]


Meanwhile, forecasters say Hurricane Frances could make landfall anywhere between South Florida and South Carolina.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ft. Lauderdale, FL;]


It's more bad news for Florida residents, who have already weathered encounters with FOUR storms over the past month.
Getting prepared is something they're getting used to by now--
Stores up and down the Florida coast are reporting strong sales of emergency items like water, batteries, window shutters and plywood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's coming....]

((CATHY GAFFNEY/RESIDENT: IT'S COMING RIGHT AT US. IT'S GONNA HIT US. IT'S BEEN TWELVE YEARS. )) ((JANICE WELTE/HOME DEPOT: IT IS REALLY FRANTIC HERE. PEOPLE HERE ARE REALLY HEEDING THE WARNINGS OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ABOUT THE IMPENDING STORM COMING HERE TO THE SOUTH FLORIDA AREA. ))
[SUPER=01-Cathy Gaffney/Ft. Lauderdale Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Janice Welte/Home Depot; :04]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=South Florida area.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Some Home Depot stores in the area are running out of lumber, and looking for another source to supply customers.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]


And let's turn to Brent Watts for the latest on Hurricane Frances--
It sounds like storm might get even stronger--

[Republican-Convention]


[ANCHOR=Kimbelry]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]


Tonight, it'll be Vice President Dick Cheney's turn in the spotlight.
He'll accept the nomination of the Republicans at their national convention in New York.
Drew Levinson spoke to some delegates about what they expect.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Tim Libous/New York Delegate;]
[SUPER=01-Nick Spano/New York Delegate;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
[SUPER=01-Bill Perkins/Wyoming Delegate;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, New York.]

((
TRACK: WHEN IT COMES TO VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY, THERE'S NO QUESTION...HE'S NOT AS POPULAR AS PRESIDENT BUSH. HE'S NOT THE ATHLETE JOHN KERRY IS. AND AS HE HIMSELF HAS JOKED, HE DOESN'T HAVE JOHN EDWARDS' LOCKS.

SOT: TIM LIBOUS/NEW YORK DELEGATE: He doesn't have edwards hair, that's

a fact, but I don't think he needs it.
TRACK: HIS FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE HAVE INCLUDED CONTROVERSY OVER HIS FORMER COMPANY HALLIBURTON, HIS DISAPPEARANCE TO "UNDISCLOSED LOCATIONS" AND CHARGES THAT HE WAS REALLY RUNNING THE WHITE HOUSE SHOW. TONIGHT IS HIS CHANCE TO CHANGE THOSE IMPRESSIONS... ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE WHEN HE ADDRESSES THE CONVENTION, AND THE NATION, IN PRIME TIME.

SOT: NICK SPANO/NEW YORK DELEGATE: We need to see the softer side and I

think we will.
TRACK: THE CAMPAIGN SAYS HIS SPEECH WILL LIKELY TARGET THE SAME THEMES HE'S BEEN PUSHING ON THE ROAD. HE'S EXPECTED TO TOUT THE PRESIDENT AS A VISIONARY LEADER. HE'LL ALSO TAKE JABS AT KERRY'S POLITICAL RECORD, WHAT HE CALLS A QUOTE, "CONFUSION OF CONVICTION" IN FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICY.

(STAND-UP: FOR HIS PART, PRESIDENT BUSH WILL WATCH CHENEY FROM A NEW

YORK HOTEL ROOM. BUT FIRST HE'LL VISIT WITH CITY FIREFIGHTERS AND SUPPORTERS. AND HE'LL SURELY PRACTICE HIS OWN SPEECH: HE ADDRESSES THE CONVENTION TOMORROW.)
TRACK: BUT TONIGHT, IT'S THE VICE PRESIDENT'S TURN IN THE SPOTLIGHT. DELEGATES FROM HIS HOME STATE OF WYOMING SAY IT'S HIS CHANCE TO EMPHASIZE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIM AND HIS POLITICAL OPPONENT.

SOT: BILL PERKINS/WYOMING DELEGATE: John Edwards should be on the cover

of People magazine. Cheney should be on the cover of every business magazine there is. That's the difference.
TRACK: IN POLLS, VOTERS STILL PREFER JOHN EDWARDS...THOUGH, PEOPLE GENERALLY DON'T VOTE BASED ON THE TICKET'S NUMBER TWO SLOT. BUT WITH A RACE THIS CLOSE, EVERY SPEECH....EVERY WORD...COUNTS. DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.
))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]


Still to come on the news, more members of the state National Guard are called up for active duty.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


Plus seven people who were held hostage in Iraq have been set free.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]



[Iraq-Hostages]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]


[MINI-OPEN]

[ENG#=1]



Seven employees of a Kuwaiti trucking company who had been kidnapped in Iraq are now free, and heading back to Kuwait.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]


Three Kenyans, three Indians and one Egyptian were abducted July 21st.
The kidnappers kept changing their demands, and extended deadlines set for killing them.
Iraqi militants have captured more than 100 foreigners in recentmonths in an effort get countries to pull their troops out of the country, and pressure companies to stop doing business there.
(------------)



[Pakistan-Terror]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=2]



Pakistani authorities say they're holding a man they believe is a senior al- Qaida operative.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Islamabad, Pakistan;]


Sources say they arrested him and another terror suspect.
The country's new information minister has also confirmed that a member of al-Qaida has been arrested.
Two arrests by Pakistani authorities in July led the White House to issue a new terror warning.
Pakistan has arrested more than 550 al-Qaida suspects and has turned over most of them to the U-S.
(------------)



[11National-Guard]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]



The Virginia National Guard has announced that 182 soldiers home-based in Farmville are being called to active duty.
They're members of Battery B, Second Battalion, 111th Field Artillery.
The soldiers will begin 18 months of federal service on October 17.
165 National Guard troops from Martinsville and Rocky Mount will go on active duty the following weekend.

[VOB-City-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC1:16:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=3]



The No Child Left Behind Act has allowed 14 children in the city of Roanoke City to transfer to other schools.
Seven elementary schools failed to make the grade in the city.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


This was one of the many issues discussed at a community meeting held at Breckinridge Middle School.
Last night, administrators presented the school system's six year improvement plan which federal guidelines now require.
Roanoke City Schools set similar objectives in the past, but this is the first time they span six years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:43:05]
[IN Q=What this does]

((DORIS ENNIS/ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: WHAT THIS DOES FOR US IT REALLY KEEPS US ON TARGET BECAUSE EVERY YEAR WE GOT A CHANCE TO MONITOR OUR PROGRESS AND SEE IF WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY ALSO TO MODIFY AND ADJUST ACCORDING TO WHERE WE NEED TO.))
[SUPER=01-Doris Ennis/Acting Roanoke Superintendent; :]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=we need to]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Some of the things proposed in the six year plan include expanding pre school programs.
Also, students who are not doing well on the Standards of Learning may be required to attend summer school.
The school board will vote on the six year plan at its October 12th meeting.
(------------)


[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]


Coming up next on the newscast, a local woman hopes her business is the wedding of the right project with the right location.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Also we'll tell you why one designer is building furniture that is good for your life and afterlife.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]



[PKG-Constantia]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-33 TC16:41]
[SS=None]



An old Roanoke County restaurant is well on its way to a new life as a reception hall. Barbara Allen took on the project after being laid off from her job. As Myranda Stephens tells despite a few small setbacks, the honeymoon is just beginning for this labor of love.

[ENG#=1]



(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=yeah the fireplace]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Allen/Constantia Owner; :08 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=04-April 13; :13]
[SUPER=@Myranda1; :40]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=MS, News 7, Roanoke County]

(([NATS @ 4607] [RUNS02] ((YEAH THE FIREPLACE REALLY TURNED OUT WELL.)) Like a newlywed looking back on her wedding photos -- Barbara Allen relives the moments that led up to her big day.
[SOT 39:26]

[RUNS04] ((WE'RE EXCITED. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR THE BRIDES.)) Just four months ago, Allen and her family were cleaning up the old Sunnybrook Inn -- to turn it into the new Constantia -- a reception hall Allen named after an old winery in her native South Africa.
[SOT 4307][COVER BITE!!!]

[RUNS09] ((WE'VE PAINTED THE OUTSIDE. ALL THE TRIM WORK HAS BEEN REPAINTED. WE'VE DONE MORE LANDSCAPING. PLANTED A LOT OF FLOWERS.))
[STANDUP SOT @ 9:31:38]

[RUNS06] ((REPORTER: BUT JUST LIKE PLANNING A WEDDING, TURNING THIS OLD RESTAURANT INTO A NEW BANQUET HALL, DIDN'T COME WITHOUT A FEW SETBACKS.))
[SOT 4020]

[RUNS05] ((WE'VE HAD QUITE A BIT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS FAR AS POWER OUTAGES.)) Which was the result of the construction of a new drainage system. That, and a two week wait on the wallpaper -- forced Allen to delay the opening by a month. But, now that's all in the past. In fact, Allen just hosted her first big event -- her daughter Tasha's wedding.
[SOT 4103]

[RUNS07] ((IT WAS NICE BEING ABLE TO PRACTICE ON HER WEDDING. BUT IT WENT VERY WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY REALLY ENJOYED IT.)) And with about 20-more events booked through the next year, Allen will have plenty more reasons to break out the champagne [SHOT OF BOTTLE @ 8:56:13]. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Roanoke County.))

[Casket-Furniture]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=2]



Who says you can't take it with you?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Spokane, WA;]


A Canadian furniture designer in Spokane, Washington is cashing in on a new furniture line that you can enjoy now AND in the afterlife.
He's created coffee tables, bookshelves, sofas, and even phone booths that double as caskets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm kind of creative]

((MARK ZEABIN/CASKETFURNITURE.COM PRESIDENT:I'M KIND OF CREATIVE AND I DON'T LIKE TO DO THE SAME THING TWICE. I'M PRACTICAL, SO I THOUGHT WHY NOT BUILD A PRODUCT YOU CAN USE FOR TWENTY, THIRTY YEARS, AND THEN AFTER YOU PASS AWAY YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU. ))
[SUPER=01-Mark Zeabin/casketfurniture.com President;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=take it with you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Prices for the "eternal" furniture range from 300- dollars to as much as 10- thousand dollars.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP one point. The NASDAQ has gained 14.
[super=460-x/1/x/14;]


[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]


Coming up after the break, Tech's Xavier Adibi goes under the knife -- and will be out for the season.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


Plus Neon Deion is back on the field after a three year hiatus. After the break we'll see if he's a Not-Ready for Primetime Player.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[S-Hokies]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-182 5108TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]



[ENG#=1]



The Hokies are off this week, and have been off of the practice field for the first two days of the week. One area they'll be working on when workouts resume today
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Landover, MD/Last Saturday;]

is finding some depth at wide receiver. While freshman Josh Hyman stepped up and made a name for himself, a number of key misses - had fans wishing that reliable Justin Hamilton had not been required to move over to the tailback spot.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Bryan Randall/Virginia Tech Senior Quarterback;]
[RUNS=:32]
[OUT Q=...A GREAT JOB RIGHT NOW."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Saturday;]


In one other Tech note, freshman linebacker Xavier Adibi underwent successful surgery yesterday at Montgomery Regional hospital. The one hour surgery, performed by Dr. Marc Seigel -- re-attached the tendon in his right bicep muscle to his humerus bone.
He will be in a sling for six weeks, and then face another six weeks of rehab. He is out for the season.
(-------------)



[S-Court]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-185 21:43]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]



[ENG#=2]



While most of the attention in Charlottesville is focused on the UVa season opener at Temple, one can't help but notice the progress being made on Virginia's new 129 million dollar John Paul Jones basketball Arena.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville;]

The facility's construction is right on schedule and its starting to generate a great deal of excitement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Craig Littlepage/UVa Athletic Director;]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=......the construction"]
(-----------------)




[S-Cal]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-178 TC4727]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]



[ENG#=3]



The VMI Keydets open the regular season Saturday at Ohio University of the MAC. Coach Cal McCombs likes what he's seen from his team this preseason.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Cal McCombs/VMI Head Coach;]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=like who we're doing it with."]
(----------------)



[S-Sanders]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]



[ENG=4]


Deion Sanders is expected to practice with the Baltimore Ravens today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The seven-time Pro Bowl defensive back passed a physical and signed a one-year contract with the Ravens yesterday, ending his three-year retirement. The deal is worth a guaranteed one-point-five (m) million dollars, with incentives that could double that total.
(----------)





[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] QUICKCAST
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS